Neurosurgery Module- Spine Flashcards
what parts of the spinal cord contain a lateral horn?
thoracic and upper lumbar spine
what does the lateral horn contain?
sympathetics
dermatome for medial malleolus?
L4
dermatome for toes 4 + 5 + lateral malleolus?
S1
dermatome for dorsum of the foot and toes 1-3
L5
what vertebrae have short and bifid spinous processes
C3-C5
most common locations for lumbar disc herniation?
L4/5
L5/S1
most common direction of a disc prolapse? what nerve will be affected from this?
posterolateral
will affect the lower nerve
what is a radicuopathy?
dysfunction of a nerve root causing a dermatomal sensory deficit with weakness of the affected nerve’s muscle groups
describe sciatic pain?
shooting pain from bum down to posterior leg/knee
exaggerated by valsalva
presentation of a prolapsed L5/S1 disc with S1 damage?
pain along posterior thigh with radiation to heel
weakness of plantar flexions
sensory loss in lateral foot
reduced/absent ankle jerk
pain in anterior thigh and wasting of the quad muscles and a reduced knee jerk is likely to indicate what nerve root’s pathology?
L4
what would make you do a discectomy?
failure of physio and drugs pain central disc prolapse tumour neuro deficit
bilateral sciatica indicates a central disc prolapse T or F
T
a disc prolapse where can cause cauda equina syndrome?
L4/5 midline herniation
causes of cauda equina?
prolapsed lumbar disc tumour compression trauma infection haematoma